Get the most out of the Black Friday sales - all the major dos and don'ts
Today marks the start of the Black Friday sales, and experts predict this could be the biggest yet as shoppers hunt bargains amid the cost of living crisis.
Nationwide has predicted six in 10 of us will shop in this year’s event and there are thousands of deals online and on the high street. With finances tight, it’s important to ensure you get the best deal. Dan Payton, of financial firm DivideBuy, says: “Finding the best Black Friday deals can be an exciting but sometimes overwhelming task. Impulse buying harder than ever to avoid this during Black Friday. But with a little planning, you can stay strong and only bag the bargains that you really need.”
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(DAILY MIRROR)Here is our expert guide to surviving the Black Friday bonanza.
Do
Only buy things you will use
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A Starling Bank poll found 30% of Black Friday shoppers regret purchases, while 10% have bought something they’ve never opened. Deals are only worth it if you will use the items or give them as gifts. Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis has very wise words. He says: “If you were going to buy it, and it’s half price, you’ve saved 50%. If you weren’t going to buy it, but do it because its half price, it’s cost you 100%. So be careful.”
Set a spending limit
It can be easy to get carried away when shopping online. Consumer expert Helen Dewdney, of thecomplainingcow.co.uk, advises to write down all the things you need to buy and to set a limit.
She says: “This list can include the people for whom you have to buy presents, ideas and a budget. This will help you not go over budget if you are easily carried away with possible bargains.”
Jewellery brand Monica Vinader’s Siren Stud Earrings 18k Gold Vermeil & Green Onyx, down from £100 to £70 (DAILY MIRROR)Make sure you are getting the best deal
A probe by consumer watchdog Which? found just 2% of products in Black Friday deals were actually cheaper on the sales day itself. If you have a purchase in mind, you can use price comparison sites such as PriceRunner to see how much a product has been sold for previously. This way, you can work out whether the Black Friday sale price is as good value as it’s claimed to be.
Use a credit card for purchases over £100
For items between £100 and £30,000, you are protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if things go wrong and can get a refund through your credit card company. However, pay the balance in full when your statement comes in. Typical credit card interest is 23%, which can wipe out savings you’ve paid and create debt.
Currys, Game and Smyths have slashed the price of the popular Xbox Series X console from £479.99 to £359.99, a £120 saving (DAILY MIRROR)Know your rights
For online purchases, you have 14 days from the date of delivery to cancel an order and a further 14 days to return it for a full refund. In store, you can return non-faulty goods for an exchange or refund if the retailer has a returns policy – nearly all do. Sellers must offer a full refund if an item is faulty, not as described or does not do what it’s supposed to. Consumers have the same rights to refunds on items bought in sales as full price items.
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Amazon is offering a half price Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Gen security camera in this year’s sale, down from £99.99 to £49.99 for the device (DAILY MIRROR)Don’t
Panic buy
Black Friday is not your only chance to bag a bargain. Which? says there are plenty of opportunities throughout the year when products are the same price or cheaper. Ele Clark, editor of Which? Retail, adds: “The best way to guarantee a good purchase is to take your time, do research and don’t panic buy.”
Look at savings instead of the price
It’s easy to assume you’re getting a good deal when you are bombarded with advertisements for savings. However, these can sometimes be exaggerated as bigger than they actually are. You could still be coming away with an expensive item you didn’t want or need.
Travel firm Tui has cut the prices of hundreds of holidays (DAILY MIRROR)Buy from unverified sellers
Black Friday is a peak time for scams. If you get an email about deals, ensure it comes from the firm it claims to be from – poor grammar and spelling and use of Gmail or Outlook are often signs of a spoof. Avoid buying items from Facebook Marketplace and Instagram – 70% of shopping scams take place here. If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
You'll also find deals on an array of beauty products (DAILY MIRROR)Be fobbed off if your products don’t arrive
Scott Dixon, of thecomplaintsresolver.co.uk, says if purchases don’t turn up, you can get a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This states the goods remain at the trader’s risk until they come into the physical possession of the consumer or a person they identify. He says: “The contract is with the retailer and not the courier firm. It is up to the retailer to resolve this.”
Get into debt
A TSB study found 56% of Black Friday shoppers use credit cards or buy now, pay later services like Klarna. Make sure you pay off any purchases in full before credit card statements or instalments are due.
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